Agitated as she was, it seemed to her that she grew feverish and thirsty--a thirst she turned to the water-vessel more than once to assuage, but without effect; and at last, with a curious, excited sensation upon her, mingled with weariness, she went to the glass to find that her checks were flushed, and that there was a strange dilated look about her eyes, whose unusual lustre startled her. "I have had too little sleep lately," she said, with a sad smile, as she thought of the long, restless nights she had passed; and at last she threw herself upon the bed, and closed her eyes, just as a tap was heard upon the panel of the door. "Come in, Janet," she said, as she unclosed her eyes to gaze round at the confusion that reigned with half-packed garments, and upon a couch her wedding-dress, facing her like the flaccid shade of herself lying upon a bier. There was something very weird in that dress, and it seemed to influence her with thoughts of death which made her shudder. "I be come to try on the wedding robe again, mistress," said Janet. "I did alter those strings and that fastening, and now it will fit you well." "That's kind of you, Janet," said Mace, drowsily. "Thank you for all you have done. You will think kindly of me when I am gone?" "Why, of course, mistress. But, there, dear heart alive, don't talk like that. Why it be as if you was going to be buried. La! You ought to be as blithe as blithe." "Should you be, Janet?" said Mace. "Oh, my head--my head, it burns--it burns!" "La, mistress, yes; as joyous as a bird to wed with so handsome and courtly a man. Art ill, mistress?" "Sleepy, Janet, sleepy." "There, then, let's get on the dress, and see how you look, and then you shall have a long sleep, and I'll see that no one disturbs you." "No, no," said Mace, hoarsely. "I must not sleep, child--I will not sleep. Try on the dress and go away. I shall sit by the open window." "La, mistress, thou'lt get the ager-shakes that come off the Pool. I wouldn't sit by the open window to-night. Come, get up, dear, and let me take off your gown. I'll unlace it, and now we'll have on the beautiful white robe. Lovely, lovely!" And again, "Lovely, lovely!" And then, "How beautiful you look!"